You are here:
We Come as Friends

We Come as Friends

2014

Director

Hubert Sauper

Runtime

110 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

As war-ravaged South Sudan claims independence from North Sudan and its brutal President, Omar al-Bashir, a tiny, homemade prop plane wings in from France. It is piloted by eagle-eyed documentarian Hubert Sauper, who is mining for stories in a land trapped in the past but careening toward an apocalyptic future.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

6.7/10

Good


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The film lacks identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or narratives. The storytelling focuses exclusively on the immediate socio-political and survivalist realities of the region.

Gender Representation

Fair

Women are depicted navigating and maintaining agency within a collapsed social structure rather than as passive victims. The film also highlights the precariousness of traditional male roles.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Excellent

The narrative excels by utilizing an almost exclusively Ugandan cast. This approach avoids the white savior trope and centers the agency of local ethnic groups.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Excellent

The film offers a sophisticated critique of Western institutions and the humanitarian industry. It portrays Western-led interventions as systemic forces that contribute to regional volatility.

Disability Representation

Minimal

While the film depicts physical and psychological scars from war, no specific characters have narrative arcs defined by disability or neurodivergence.

Strengths

  • Avoids the 'white savior' trope by centering an almost exclusively Ugandan cast.
  • Provides a sophisticated critique of Western-led humanitarian and capitalist interventions.
  • Portrays women with agency rather than as passive victims of conflict.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks any identifiable LGBTQ+ characters or non-heteronormative narratives.
  • Does not feature specific characters whose arcs are defined by disability or neurodivergence.

AI Analysis

Hubert Sauper’s documentary provides a powerful deconstruction of the post-colonial landscape in Northern Uganda. It succeeds by rejecting the traditional humanitarian gaze, instead centering the lived realities of local populations caught between conflict and globalized commerce. The film's greatest strength lies in its refusal to center Western perspectives. By prioritizing an authentic, non-Anglo-centric view, it avoids common tropes and offers a rare, unmediated look at the complexities of the region. However, the film lacks representation for LGBTQ+ identities and does not feature characters whose primary arcs are defined by disability. While it captures the scars of war, these elements remain outside the narrative focus.

How are these scores produced? →

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.